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,    .  ....  I^ezi  JJr.  Grifiiti. 

"U  u  a  Invijuiv  L\  hllY  FAMILY  ought  to  possess.     For  the  success  of  vour  undertaking 
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aiKM  III  i,i.counMK  »"'!  mii.ix.vi:ig  llie  deep  wisdom  of  Cod,  revealed  in  the  Lively  Oracles." 

,    ..        ,  , Fatum  Woodbtirv.p.  6. 

L-Mrr,  fi-oni  the  Lev.  l),-s.  llo!mc»,  B;.ld«in,  D.uia  .ind  Sanders,  and  Kev,  Messi^.  Bates, 
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Oo»cr  ofU.e  I  .m-.phM     qj-  .v,,^,.,,  ,,.,.,,.  /'„v,-,  ■,,„„  b,-  had  ^ruh  at  %o.  5t),  Corahill. 


LETTER 


BEV.   SAMUEL  C.   THACHER, 


ASPERSIONS  CONTAINED  IN  A  LATE  NUMBER  OF  THE  PANOPLIST, 


ON   THE    MINISTERS    OF    BOSTON    AND    THE    VICINITY. 


WILLIAM  E.  CHANNING, 

Jilinister  of  the  Church  of  Christ  in  Federal  Street,  Boston, 


BOSTON : 

7KINTEB    AND    PUBLISBED    BY   WELLS   AND    LILLT. 

1815. 


N        ^ 


^  **,«i  ? ; ". 


A  LETTER,  &c. 


tlY  FRIEND  AND  BROTHER, 


I  HAVE  recollected  with  much  satisfaction  the  conversa- 
tion, which  we  held  the  other  morning,  on  the  subject  of  the 
late  Review  in  the  Panoplist  for  Jime,  of  a  pamphlet,  called 
"  American  Unitarianism."  I  was  not  surprised,  but  I  was 
highly  gratified,  by  the  spirit  with  which  you  spoke  of  that 
injurious  publication.  Grief  rather  than  indignation  marked 
your  countenance,  and  you  mourned,  that  men,  who  bear 
the  sacred  and  pacifick  name  of  Christian,  could  prove  so 
insensible  to  the  obligations  of  their  profession.  Our  con- 
versation turned,  as  you  recollect,  on  the  falsehood  of  that 
Review  ;  on  its  motives ;  and  on  the  duties  which  are 
imposed  on  those  ministers,  whose  good  name  and  whose 
influence  it  was  designed  to  destroy. 

After  leaving  you,  my  thoughts  still  dwelt  on  the  subject ; 
and,  painful  as  is  the  task,  I  have  thought  it  my  duty  to 
exhibit  to  the  publick  the  topicks  which  we  discussed,  as 
well  as  to  add  some  reflections  suggested  by  private  medi- 
tation. 

I  bring  to  the  subject  a  feeling,  which  I  cannot  well 
express  in  words,  but  which  you  can  easily  understand. 
It  is  a  feeling,  as  if  I  were  degrading  myself  by  noticing  the 
false  and  injurious  charges  contained  in  this  review.  I  feel 
as  if  I  were  admitting,  that  we  need  vindication,  that  our 


rcpufntions  want  support,  that  our  characters  and  lives  do 
rot  speak  for  themselves.     My  selfrespect  too  is  wounded, 
bj  coming  into  conttict   with  assailants,  who  not  only  deny 
us  tiie   name  ol"  Ciiiistians,  but  withhold  from  us  the  treat- 
;nent  of  gentlemen.     These  feelings,   united  with  my  love 
of  peace,  would   iiiduce  me  to  pass  over    the   Review  in 
silence,  if  it  were  limited  within  the  sphere  within  which  we 
are  personally  known.     In  this  sphere,  I  trust,  its   bitter- 
ness,  coarseness,   and  misrepresentations  will  work    their 
own  cure  ;  and  that  no  other  defence   is  required,  but  the 
tenour  of  our  ministry  and  lives.     But  the  work,  in  which 
this  aiticle  is  published,  is  industriously  spread  through  the 
country,  and   through  all  classes   of  society.     The  asper- 
sions which  it  contains   are  also  diffused,  as  widely  as  pos- 
sible, by  conversation  and  even  by  newspapers.     We  owe 
then  to  ourselves,  and  what  is  more  important  to  the  cause 
of  christian  truth  and  charitj',  some  remarks  on  the  repre- 
sentations and  spirit  of  the  Review.     You  can  easily  con- 
ceive, how  difficult  it  is  to  read  again  and  again  sucii  a  pub- 
lication  without  catching  some   portion  of  an  unchristian 
spirit.     I  do  indeed  feel  nivself  breathing  an  atmosphere  to 
which  I  am  not   accustomed.     But  my  earnest  desire  is   to 
remember  whose   disciple  I  am,  and  to  temper  displeasure 
with  meekness  and  forgiveness. 

The  Panoplist  Review,  tliough  extended  over  so  many 
pages,  may  be  compressed  into  a  very  narrow  space.  It 
asserts,  1.  That  the  ministers  of  this  town  and  its  vicinity, 
and  the  great  body  of  liberal  christians  are  Unitarians  in 
Mr.  Belsham's  sen^e  of  the  word  :  that  is,  they  believe 
that  Jesus  Christ  is  a  mere  man,  who  when  on  earth  was 
liable  to  errour  and  sin  ;  to  who  n  we  owe  no  gratitude  for 
benefits  which  we  are  now  receiving ;  and  for  whose  f\iture 
interposition  we  have  no  reason  to  hope. 


■51 

2.  The  Review  asserts,  that  these  ministers  and  liberal 
christians  are  guilty  of  hypocritical  concealment  of  their 
sentiments,  and  behave  in  a  base,  cowardly  and  hypocri- 
tical manner. 

3.  Christians  are  called  to  come  out  and  separate  them- 
selves from  these  ministers  and  the  liberal  body  of  christians, 
and  to  withhold  from  them  christian  communion. 

I  will  consider  these  three  heads  in  their  order,  and  may 
then  notice  some  other  topicks  introduced  into  the  Review. 

The  first  assertion  to  be  considered  is,  that  the  ministers 
of  this  town  and  vicinity,  and  the  great  body  of  liberal  chris- 
tians are  Unitarians,  in  Mr.  Belsham's  sense  of  that  word  ; 
and  I  wish  every  reader  to  look  back  and  distinctly  impress 
this  sense  on  his  memory.  I  am  sensible  that  almost  every 
liberal  christian,*  who  reads  these  pages,  will  regard  this 
charge  with  a  mixture  of  surprise  and  indignation,  and  will 
almost  doubt  the  correctness  of  my  statement  of  the  Re- 
view. I  therefore  add  the  following  extracts  from  the  last 
number  of  the  Panoplist,  in  which  the  Review  is  contained. 
(P.  267.)  "We  feel  entirely  warranted  to  say  that  the 
predominant  religion  of  the  liberal  party  is  decidedly 
Unitarian,  in  Mr.  Belsham's  sense  of  the  word."  P.  254, 
"  We  shall  feel  ourselves  warranted  hereafter,  to  speak  of 
the  fact  as  certain,  that  Unitarianism,"  meaning  Mr.  Bel- 
sham's, "  is  the  predominant  religion  among  the  ministers  and 
churches  of  Boston."  P. 271,  "  The  liberal  party  mutilate 
the  New  Testament,  reject  nearly  all  the  fundamental  doc- 
trines of  the  gospel,  and  degrade  the  Saviour  to  the  condition 
of  a  fallible,  peccable,  and  ignorant  man."  It  is  unnecessary 
to  multiply  extracts  to  show,  that  not  only  Boston,  but  its 
vicinity,  is  involved  in  the  charge.  In  fact,  the  liberal 
party,  in  general,  as  you  see,  is  ranged  under  the  standard 
of  Mr.  Belsham.     Now  we  both  of  us  know  this  statement 

*  See  Note  A. 


to  be  false.  This  misrepresentation  is  founded  chiefly  ort 
some  letters  written  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Freeman,  and  Mr. 
William  Wells,  of  Boston,  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lindsey  and 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Belsham,  of  London ;  which  letters  state, 
that  many  of  the  ministers  and  laymen  of  this  quarter  are 
Unitarian.  You  informed  me  in  our  late  conversation,  that 
Mr.  Wells  has  assured  you,  that  in  his  letter  to  Mr.  Bel- 
sham,  he  used  the  word  Unitarian  in  its  proper  and  usual 
sense,  as  opposed  to  Trinitarian^  as  denoting  a  man  who 
believes  that  God  is  one  person,  and  not  three  persons. 
That  Dr.  Freeman  attached  the  same  meaning  to  the  word, 
I  cannot  doubt,  because  I  have  once  and  again  heard  him 
give  this  very  definition.  If  you  will  consult  Miss  Adams* 
View  of  Religions,  the  only  authority  which  I  have  at  hand, 
you  will  see,  that  this  term  belongs  to  persons,  who  diflfer 
widely  in  their  views  of  Jesus  Chl-ist.  She  particularly 
quotes  Mosheim,  as  saying,  that  Unitarians  are  Anti-Trini- 
tarians. "The  Socinlans,"  Mosheim  adds,  "are  also  so 
"  called.  The  term  is  comprehensive,  and  is  applicable  to  a 
"great  variety  of  persons,  who,  notwithstanding,  agree  in 
*'  this  common  principle,  that  there  is  no  distinction  in  the 
"  Divine  nainre.''  The  word  Unitarian,  taken  in  this  its 
true  sense,  as  including  all  who  believe  that  there  is  no  dis- 
tinction of  persons  in  God,  is  indeed,  as  Mosheim  observes, 
of  great  extent.  Dr.  Watts,  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life, 
was  decidedly  an  Unitarian.  So  was  Dr.  Samuel  Clarke ; 
so  was  the  late  Dr.  Eckley,*  of  this  town  ;  so,  I  am  told  by 
respectable  authorities,  are  several  Hopkinsian  clergymen 
in  New-England.  The  word  Unitarianism,  as  denoting 
lliis  opposition  to  Trinitarianism,  undoubtedly  expresses 
llic  cliaraclcr  of  a  considerable  part  of  the  ministers  of  this 
town  and  its  vicinity,  and  the  commonwealth.  But  we  both 
of  lis  know,  that  their  Unitarianism  is   of  a  very  different 

=*  SeeNot»B. 


kind  from  that  of  Mr.  Belsham.  We  both  agreed  i&  ouf 
late  conference,  that  a  majority  of  our  brethren  believe,  that 
Jesus  Christ  is  more  than  man,  that  he  existed  before  the 
world,  that  he  lilerallj  came  from  heaven  to  save  our  race, 
that  he  sustains  other  offices  than  those  of  a  teacher  and 
witness  to  the  truth,  and  that  he  still  acts  for  our  benefit,  and 
is  our  intercessor  with  the  Father.  This  we  agreed  to  be 
the  prevalent  sentiment  of  our  brethren.  There  is  another 
class  of  liberal  christians,  who,  whilst  they  reject  the  dis- 
tinction of  three  persons  in  God,  are  yet  unable  to  pass  a 
definitive  judgment  on  the  various  systems,  which  prevail, 
as  to  the  nature  and  rank  of  Jesus  Christ.  They  are  met 
by  difficulties  on  every  side,  and  generally  rest  in  the  con- 
clusion, that  He,  whom  God  has  appointed  to  be  our  Sa- 
viour, must  be  precisely  adapted  to  his  work,  and  that  ac- 
ceptable faith  consists  in  regarding  and  following  him  as 
our  Lord,  Teacher,  and  Saviour  ;  without  deciding  on  his 
nature  or  rank  in  the  universe.  There  is  another  class,  who 
believe  the  simple  humanity  of  Jesus  Christ ;  but  these  form 
a  small  proportion  of  the  great  body  of  Unitarians  in  this  part 
of  our  country ;  and  I  very  much  doubt,  whether  of  these, 
one  individual  can  be  found,  who  could  conscientiously  sub- 
scribe to  Mr.  Belsham's  creed  as  given  in  the  Review.  The 
conduct  of  the  Reviewer,  in  collecting  all  the  opinions  of 
that  gentleman,  not  only  on  the  Trinity,  but  on  every  other 
theological  subject,  in  giving  to  the  whole  collection  the 
name  of  Unitarianism,  and  in  exhibiting  this  to  the  world 
as  the  creed  of  liberal  christians  in  this  region,  is  perhaps 
as  criminal  an  instance  of  unfairness,  as  is  to  be  found  in  the 
records  of  theological  controversy.  The  fact  is,  that  the 
great  body  of  liberal  christians  would  shrink  from  some  of 
these  opinions  with  as  much  aversion  as  from  some  of  the 
gloomy  doctrines  of  Calvin.  You,  my  friend,  well  know, 
that  Mr.  Belsham  is  not  acknowledged  as  a  leader  by  any 
Ufiitarians  ia  our  country,     I  have  heard  from  those,  who 


arc  thought  to  approach  hiin  most  nearly  in  opinion,  com- 
plaints of  the  extravagance  of  some  of  his  positions,  as  unjust 
and  prejudicial  to  the  cause  which  he  has  undertaken  to 
defend. 

I  trust,  that  the  statement  which  has  now  been  made,  will 
not  be  considered  as  casting  the  least  reproach  on  those 
amongst  us,  who  believe  in  the  simple  humanity  of  Jesus 
Christ.  Whilst  I  differ  from  then)  in  opinion,  I  have  cer- 
tainly no  disposition  to  deny  them  the  name  and  privileges 
of  christians.  There  are  gentlemen  of  this  class,  whom  I 
have  the  happiness  to  know,  in  whom  I  discover  the  evi- 
dences of  a  scrupulous  uprightness,  and  a  genuine  piety  ; 
and  there  are  others,  whose  characters,  as  portrayed  by 
their  biographers,  appear  to  me  striking  examples  of  the 
best  influences  of  Christianity. 

After  considering  the  letters  of  Mr.  Wells  and  Dr.  Free- 
man, it  is  not  necessary  to  enlarge  on  the  other  evidences 
of  our  adopting  Mr.  Belsham's  creed,  which  have  been 
adduced  by  the  Reviewer.  The  Monthly  Anthology  is 
summoned  as  a  proof.  I  have  read  as  little  of  that  work  as 
of  most  periodical  publications;  but  you,  who  know  more  of 
it,  have  expressed  to  me  your  confident  persuasion,  that, 
from  beginning  to  end,  the  doctrine  of  the  simple  humanity 
of  Christ  is  not  once  asserted.  As  to  the  General  Reposi- 
tory, which  is  brought  forward  as  another  proof,  I  never 
for  a  moment  imagined,  that  its  editor  was  constituted  or 
acknowledged  as  the  organ  of  his  brethren  ;  and  while  its  high 
literary  merit  has  been  allowed,  I  have  heard  some  of  its  sen- 
timents disapproved  by  the  majority  of  those  with  whom  I 
have  conversed.  With  respect  to  the  "  Improved  Version 
of  the  New  Testament,"  I  can  speak  with  greater  confidence. 
It  is  false,  that  this  work  was  patronized  and  circulated  by 
the  ministers  of  Boston  and  the  vicinity.  It  is  impossible 
tJiat  such  a  fact  could  have  escaped  my  notice,  and  I  raw 


scarcely  remember  an  individual,  who,  in  speaking  of  this 
version,  has  not  expressed  an  unfavourable  opinion  at  least 
of  some  of  its  notes. 

I  repeat  it,  these  remarks  are  not  offered  for  the  purpose 
of  throwing  any  reproach  on  any  class  of  Christians,  but 
simply  to  repel  a  statement  which  is  untrue,  and  which  is 
intended  to  rank  us  under  a  denomination,  which  the  people 
of  this  country  have  been  industriously  taught  to  abhor.  It 
is  this  intention  of  rendering  us  odious,  which  constitutes 
the  criminality  of  the  charge,  and  which  exposes  its  author 
to  severe  indignation.  A  man,  who  is  governed  by  christian 
principles,  will  slowly  and  reluctantly  become  "  the  accuser 
of  his  brethren."  He  will  inquire  long  and  impartially  be- 
fore he  attempts  to  fasten  a  bad  name,  (the  most  injurious 
method  of  assailing  reputation)  on  an  individual,  and  espe- 
cially on  a  large  class  of  the  community.  What  severity 
of  reproof  then  is  merited  by  the  author  of  this  Review, 
who  has  laboured  to  attach,  not  only  to  professors,  but  to 
ministers  of  religion,  a  name  and  character  which  he  hoped 
would  awaken  popular  alarm,  and  endanger  their  influence, 
although  a  large  majority  of  the  accused  have  no  participa- 
tion in  the  pretended  crime.  That  he  intended  to  deceive, 
I  am  unwilling  to  assert ;  but  the  most  charitable  construc- 
tion which  his  conduct  will  admit  is,  that  his  passions  and 
party  spirit  have  criminally  blinded  him,  and  hurried  him 
into  an  act,  which  could  have  been  authorized  only  by  the 
strongest  evidence,  and  the  most  impartial  inquiry.  The 
time  may  come,  when  he  will  view  this  transaction  with 
other  eyes  ;  when  the  rage  of  party  will  have  subsided ; 
when  the  obligation  of  a  fair  and  equitable  temper  will 
appear  at  least  as  solemn  as  the  obligation  of  building  up  a 
sect ;  when  misrepresentation,  intended  to  injure,  and  ori- 
ginating, if  not  in  malignity,  yet  in  precipitancy  and  passion, 
will  be  felt  to  be  a  crime  of  no  common  aggravation.     That 


tliia  time  may  soon  come,  and  may  bring  with  it  not  onlj 
remorse,  but  sincere  repentance,  I  know  to  be  your  wish, 
and  I  trust  it  is  ray  own. 

li.  I  now  come  to  the  second  charge  of  the  Review: 
That  the  ministers  of  Boston  and  the  vicinity,  and  the  most 
considerable  members  of  the  liberal  party  "  operate  in 
"  secret ;  entrust  only  the  initiated  with  their  measures  ;  are 
"guilty  of  hypocritical  concealment  of  their  sentiments  ; 
"  behave  in  a  base  and  hypocritical  manner,  compared  with 
"  which  Mr.  Belsham's  conduct,  rotten  as  \ip  is  in  doctrine 
"  to  the  very  core,  is  puiity  itself."^  Such  is  the  decent 
language  scattered  through  this  Review.  This  charge  is 
infinitely  more  serious  than  the  first.  To  believe  with  Mr. 
Belsham  is  no  crime.  But  artifice,  plotting,  hypocrisy  are 
crimes  ;  and  if  we  practise  them,  we  deserve  to  be  driven, 
not  only  from  the  ministry,  not  only  from  the  church,  but 
from  the  society  of  the  decent  and  repectable.  Our  own 
hearts,  I  trust,  tell  us  at  once  how  gross  are  these  asper- 
sions ;  and  our  acquaintance  wiiih  our  brethren  authorizes 
us  to  speak  in  their  vindication  with  the  same  confidence  as 
in  our  own. 

*  We  are  accused  of  "  the  systeraatick  practice  of  artifice,"  p.  242  ; 
of  "hypocritical  concealment,"  251;  of  "cowardice  in  the  conceal- 
ment of  our  opinions,"  260  ;  of  "  cunning  and  dishonesty,"  260 ;  of 
"acting  in  a  base,  liypocritical  manner,"  a  manner  "at  which  com- 
mon honesty  revolts,"  260 ;  a  manner  "  incompatible  with  fidelity  or 
integrity,"  261.  "The  conduct  of  Mr.  Belsham,"  we  are  told,  "rot- 
ten as  he  is  to  the  very  core  in  point  of  doctrine,  is  purity  itself,  com- 
pared with  the  conduct  of  these  men,"  262.  "  In  pretence  all  is 
politeness  and  liberality  ;  in  practice  we  hnd  a  rancour  bitter  as 
death,  and  cruel  as  the  grave,"  264.  Let  it  be  remembered  that  this 
is  not  to  be  considered  as  the  invective  and  exaggeration,  which  we  are 
unhappily  accustonnd  to  permit  in  a  pnlilical  pamphlet.  It  is  found 
in  a  grave  theological  imblication,  and  uttered  by  a  man  who  declares 
that  he  "never  took  his  pen  in  hand  with  greater  caution,  nor  with  a 
iporc  imperious  sense  of  duty."  25!). 


ii 

It  is  not  to  be  Avondered  at,  that  those,  who  have  charged 
us  with  holding  sentiments  which  we  reject,  should  proceed 
to  charge  us  with  hypocritically  concealing  our  sentiments. 
Most  of  us  have  often  contradicted  Mr.  Belsham's  opinions  : 
and  they  who  insist  that  these  opinions  are  ours,  will  be 
forced  to  maintain  that  we  practise  deceit.  They  start 
with  a  falsehood,  and  their  conclusion  cannot  therefore  be 

true. 

1  am  not,  however,  disposed  to  dismiss  this  charge  of 
artifice  and  hypocrisy  so  lightly.  The  proofs  on  which  it 
rests  are  perhaps  the  most  extraordinary  which  were  ever 
adduced  on  so  serious  an  occasion.  The  first  evidence  of 
our  baseness  is  a  letter  from  Dr.  Freeman.  It  is  unneces- 
sary to  enter  into  any  examination  of  this  letter.  It  is 
gufficient  to  observe,  that  it  Was  written,  according  to  the  Re- 
view, in  the  year  1796  or  1797,  that  is,  it  was  written  when  all 
the  present  congregational  ministers  in  Boston,  with  the  single 
exception  of  the  venerated  Dr.  Lathrop,  were  receiving 
their  education  either  at  school  or  in  college,  and  had  not 
probably  directed  their  thoughts  toAvards  the  sacred  office  ; 
and  before  a  considerable  part  of  our  brethren,  now  in  the 
vicinity,  were  settled  in  the  ministry.  It  is  a  melancholy 
thought,  that  accusations  which  would  place  us  among  the 
profligate  part  of  society,  are  bitterly  and  furiously  urged 
on  such  foundation  as  this ! 

But  the  next  proof  is  still  more  remarkable.  It  is  the 
letter  of  Mr.  Wells  to  Mr.  Belsham.  In  this  letter  Mr. 
Wells  says,  "  Most  of  our  Boston  clergy  and  respectable 
"  laymen,  among  a\  horn  we  have  many  enlightened  theolo- 
"gians,  are  Unitarian.  Nor  do  they  think  it  at  all  neces- 
«  sary  to  conceal  their  sentiments,  but  express  them  without 
"reserve  when  they  judge  it  proper.  I  may  safely  say, 
"the  general  habit  of  thinking  and  speaking  upon  this 
«  question  is  Unitarian."     Can  a  more  explicit  passage  be 


12 

conceived  T  The  method  in  which  it  is  distorted  by  the 
Reviewer  can  hardly  be  recollected  without  expressions  of 
indignation.  Towards  the  close  of  his  Review,  p.  269,  in 
speaking  of  the  persons  on  whom  Mr.  Wells  "lavishes 
commendation,"  he  represents  him  as  mentioning  "  most  of 
the  Boston  clergy  and  respectable  laymen,  many  of  whom 
are  enlightened  theologians,  who  do  not  conceal  their  senti- 
ments, but  express  them  when  ihey  judge  it  proper.^^  This 
passage,  as  it  stands  in  the  Review,  has  the  marks  of  quo- 
tation, as  if  taken  from  Mr.  Wells'  letter.  Let  me  ask  you 
to  look  back,  and  compare  it  carefully  with  the  second  sen- 
tence, which  I  have  extracted  from  that  letter.  You  per- 
ceive, that  by  mutilating  that  sentence,  and  by  printing  the 
last  wortls  in  Italicks,  the  reviewer  has  entirely  done  away 
the  meaning  of  Mr.  Wells,  and  contrived  to  give  to  the 
common  reader  a  directly  opposite  impression  to  what  that 
gentleman  intended  to  convey.  An  nnper\  erted  mind  turns 
with  sorrow  and  disgust  from  such  uncharitable  and  disin- 
genuous dealing  ;  and  why  all  this  labour  to  distort  what  is 
so  plain  ?  The  object  is,  to  fix  the  cliaracter  of  knaves  and 
hypocrites  on  a  large  class  of  christians  and  christian  min- 
isters. I  might  here  be  permitted  to  dip  my  pen  in  gall ; 
but  I  do  not  write  for  those,  whose  moral  feeling  is  so  dull, 
as  to  need  indignant  comment  on  practices  like  these. 

With  respect  to  yourself,  my  friend,  I  presume  no  one 
will  charge  you  with  hypocritical  concealment.  Your  situ- 
ation offers  you  no  temptation ;  and  no  one  who  has  heard 
you  preach,  can  ever  have  suspected  you  of  a  leaning 
towards  Trinitarianism.  As  to  myself,  I  have  ever  been 
inclined  to  cherish  the  most  exalted  views  of  Jesus  Christ, 
which  are  consistent  with  the  supremacy  of  the  Father  ;  and 
I  have  felt  it  my  duty  to  depart  from  Mr.  Belsham,  in 
perhaps  every  sentiment  which  is  peculiar  to  him  on  this 
subject.  I  have  always  been  pleased  with  some  of  the 
sentiments  of  Dr.  Watts  on  the  intimate  and  peculiar  union 


13 

between  the  Father  and  the  Son.  But  I  have  always  abf 
stained  most  scrupulouslj  from  every  expression  which 
could  be  construed  into  an  acknowledgment  of  the  Trinity. 
My  worship  and  sentiments  have  been  Unitarian  in  the 
proper  sense  of  that  word.  In  conversation  with  my  peo- 
ple, who  have  requested  my  opinion  upon  the  subject^ 
especially  with  those  who  consider  themselves  Trinitarians, 
I  have  spoken  with  directness  and  simplicity.  Some  of 
those  who  differ  from  me  most  widely,  have  received  from 
me  the  most  explicit  assurances  of  my  disbelief  of  the 
doctrine  of  the  Trinity,  and  of  my  views  in  relation  to  the 
Saviour.  As  to  my  brethren  in  general,  never  have  I 
imagined  for  a  moment,  from  their  preaching  or  conversa- 
tion, that  they  had  the  least  desire  to  be  considered  as 
Trinitarians  ;  nor  have  I  ever  heard  from  them  any  views 
of  God  or  of  Jesus  Christ,  but  Unitarian  in  the  proper 
meaning  of  that  word. 

It  is  indeed  true,  as  Mr.  Wells  says,  that  we  seldom  or 
never  introduce  the  Trinitarian  controversy  into  our  pulpits. 
We  are  accustomed  to  speak  of  the  Father  as  God,  and  of 
Jesus  Christ  as  his  son,  as  a  distinct  being  from  him,  as 
dependent  on  him,  subordinate  to  him,  and  deriving  all  from 
him.  This  phraseology  pervades  all  our  prayers,  and  all 
our  preaching.  We  seldom  or  never,  however,  refer  to 
any  diiTerent  sentiments,  embraced  by  other  christians,  on 
the  nature  of  God  or  of  Jesus  Christ.  We  preach  pre- 
cisely as  if  no  such  doctrine  as  the  Trinity  had  ever  been 
known.  We  do  not  attempt  to  refute  it,  any  more  than  to 
refute  the  systems  of  the  Sabellians,  the  Eutychians,  or  the 
Nestorians,  or  cf  the  other  sects  who  have  debated  these 
questions  with  such  hot  and  unprofitable,  zeal.  But,  in  fol- 
lowing this  course,  we  are  not  conscious  of  having  con- 
tracted, in  the  least  degree,  the  guilt  of  insincerity.  We 
have  aimed  at  making  no  false  impression.  We  have  only 
followed  a  general  system,  which  we  are  persuaded  to  be 


14 

best  for  our  people  and  for  the  cause  of  Christianity  ;  the 
system  of  excluding  controversy  as  much  as  possible  from 
our  pulpits.  In  compliance  with  this  system,  I  have  never 
assailed  Trinilarianism ;  nor  have  I  ever  sard  one  word 
against  Methodism,  Quakerism,  Episcopalianism,  or  the 
denomination  of  Baptists;  and  I  may  add  Popery,  if  I  ex- 
cept a  few  occasional  remarks  on  the  intolerance  of  that 
system.  The  name  of  these  sects,  with  that  single  excep- 
tion, has  never  passed  my  lips  in  preaching,  through  my 
whole  ministry,  which  has  continued  above  twelve  years. 
We  all  of  us  think  it  best  to  preach  the  truth,  or  what  we 
esteem  to  be  the  truth,  and  to  say  very  little  about  errour, 
BTiless  it  be  errour  of  a  strictly  practical  nature.  A  striking 
proof  of  our  sentiments  and  liahits  on  this  subject  may  be 
derived  from  the  manner  in  which  3  ou  and  myself  have 
treated  Calvinism.  We  consider  the  errours  which  relate 
to  Christ's  person  as  of  little  or  no  importance  compared 
with  the  errour  of  those  who  teach,  that  God  brings  us  into 
life  wholly  depraved  and  wholly  helpless,  that  he  leaves 
multitudes  without  that  aid  which  is  indispensably  necessary 
to  their  repentance,  and  then  plunges  them  into  everlasting 
burnings  and  unspeakable  torture,  for  not  repenting.  This 
we  consider  as  one  of  the  most  injurious  errours  which  ever 
darkened  the  christian  world;  and  none  will  pretend  that  we 
have  any  thing  to  fear  from  exposing  this  errour  to  our  people. 
On  the  contrary,we  could  hardly  select  a  more  popular  topick ; 
— and  yet  our  hearers  will  bear  witness  how  seldom  we  intro- 
duce this  topick  into  our  preaching.  The  name  of  Calvinist 
Las  never,  I  presume,  been  uttered  by  us  in  the  pulpit.  Our 
method  is,  to  state  what  Ave  conceive  to  be  mOre  honourable, 
and  ennobling,  and  encouraging  views  of  God's  character 
and  government,  and  to  leave  these  to  have  their  effect, 
without  holding  up  other  christians  to  censure  or  contempt. 
We  could,  if  wo  were  to  make  strenuous  efforts,  render  the 


15 

name  of  Calvinist  as  much  a  word  of  reproach  in  our  so- 
cieties, as  that  of  Unitarian  is  in  some  parts  of  our  country. 
But  we  esteem  it  a  solemn  duty  to  disarm  instead  of  exci- 
ting the  bad  passions  of  our  people.  We  wish  to  promote 
among  them  a  spirit  of  universal  charity.  We  wish  to 
make  them, condemn  their  own  bad  practices,  rather  than 
the  erroneous  speculations  of  their  neighbour.  We  love 
them  too  sincerely  to  imbue  them  with  the  spirit  of  contro- 
versy. 

In  thus  avoiding  controversy,  we  have  thought  that  we 
deserved,  not  reproach,  but  some  degree  of  praise  for  our 
self  denial.  Every  preacher  knows  how  much  easier  it  is 
to  write  a  controversial  than  a  practical  discourse ;  how 
much  easier  it  is  to  interest  an  audience  by  attacking  an  op- 
posite party,  than  by  stating  to  them  the  duties  and  motives 
of  the  gospel.  We  often  feel,  that  our  mode  of  preaching 
exposes  us  to  the  danger  of  being  trite  and  dull ;  and  I 
presume  we  have  often  been  tempted  to  gratify  the  love  of 
disputation  which  lurks  in  every  society.  Bui  so  deeply 
are  we  convinced,  that  the  great  end  of  preaching  is  to  pro- 
mote a  spirit  of  love,  a  sober,  righteous  and  godly  life,  and 
that  every  doctrine  is  to  be  urged  simply  and  exclusively 
for  this  end,  that  we  have  sacrificed  our  ease,  and  have 
chosen  to  be  less  striking  preachers,  rather  than  to  enter 
the  lists  of  controversy. 

We  have  seldom  or  never  assailed  the  scheme  of  the 
Trinity,  not  only  from  our  dislike  to  controversy  in  general, 
but  from  a  persuasion  that  this  discussion  would,  above  all 
ethers,  perplex  and  needlessly  perplex  a  common  congre- 
gation, consisting  of  persons  of  all  ages,  capacities,  degrees 
of  improvement,  and  conditions  in  society.  This  doctrine 
we  all  regard  as  the  most  unintelligible  about  which  chris- 
tians have  ever  disputed.  If  it  do  not  mean  that  there  are 
Three  Gods,  (a construction  which  its  advocates  indignant- 


16 

Ij  repel,)  we  know  not  what  it  means  ;  and  we  hare  not 
Ihoiight  that  we  should  edify  common  hearers  by  attacking 
a  doctrine,  altogether  inconceivable  and  wholly  beyond  the 
grasp  of  our  faculties. — AVe  have  recollected  too  the  mis- 
chiefs of  the  Trinitarian  controversy  in  past  ages,  that  it 
has  been  a  firebrand  lighting  the  flames  of  persecution, 
and  kindling  infernal  passions  in  the  breasts  of  christians  j 
and  we  have  felt  no  disposition  to  interest  the  feelings  of 
our  congregation  in  a  dispute,  which  has  so  disgraced  the 
professed  disciples  of  the  meek  and  lowly  Jesus. — Many  of 
us  have  been  disinclined,  not  only  <o  assail  systems  which 
we  do  not  believe,  but  even  to  enforce  the  views  which  we 
have  given  of  the  rank  and  character  of  Jesus  Christ  ;  be- 
cause we  have  known,  how  divided  the  best  men  have  been 
on  these  topicks,  and  how  largely  we  ourselves  partake  of  the 
fallibility  of  our  nature ;  because  we  have  wished,  that  our 
hearers  should  derive  their  impressions  on  these  points  as 
much  as  possible  from  the  scriptures  ;  and  because  we  have 
all  been  persuaded,  that  precision  of  views  upon  these  sub- 
jects is  in  no  degree  essential  to  the  faith  or  practice  of  a 
christian. — We  have  considered  the  introduction  of  the 
Trinitarian  controversy  into  the  pulpit,  as  the  less  necessa- 
ry, because  we  have  generally  found  that  common  christians 
admit  that  distinction  between  God  and  his  Son,  and  that  sub- 
ordination of  the  Son,  which  we  believe  to  be  the  truth  ;  and 
as  to  that  very  small  part  of  our  hearers,  who  are  strongly 
attached  to  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity,  while  we  have  not 
wished  to  conceal  from  them  our  difference  of  opinion,  we 
have  been  fully  satisfied,  that  the  most  effectual  method  of 
promoting  their  holiness  and  salvation  was  to  urge  on  them 
perpetually  those  great  truths  and  precepts,  about  which 
there  Is  little  contention,  and  which  have  an  immediate 
bearing  on  the  temper  and  the  life. — To  conclude,  we  have 
never  entered  into  discussions  of  the  doctrine  of  the  Tri- 


17 

lilty,  because  we  are  not  governed  by  a  proselyting  temper. 
I  will  venture  to  assert,  that  there  is  not  on  earth  a  body  of 
men  who  possess  less  of  the  spirit  of  proselytisra,  than  the 
ministers  of  this  town  and  vicinity.     Accustomed  as  we  are 
to  see  genuine  piety  in   all  classes  of  christians,  in  Trlnita- 
rians  and  Unitarians,  in  Calvinists  and  Arminians,  in  Epis- 
copalians, Methodists,  Baptists,  and  Congregationalists,  and 
delighting  in  this  character  wherever  it  appears,  we  are  little 
anxious  to  bring  men  over  to  our  peculiar  opinions.     I  could 
smile  at  the  idea  of  a  Unitarian  plot,  were  not  this  fiction 
intended  to  answer  so  unworthy  an  end.     There  cannot  be 
a  doubt,  that  had  we  seriously  united  for  the  purpose  of 
spreading  Unitarianism  by  any  and  every  means,  by  secret 
insinuations  against  those  who  differ  from  us,  by  uncharita- 
ble denunciations,  and  by  the  other  usual  arts  of  sects,  we 
might  have  produced  in  this  part  of  the  country  an  Unita- 
rian heat  and  bitterness   not  inferiour  to   that  with  which 
Trinitarianism  is  too  often  advocated.     But  not  the  slight- 
est whisper  of  any  concert  for  this  end  has  ever  reached 
me ;  and  as  to  these  arts,  our  people  can  best  say  how  far 
we  have  practised  them.     Our  people  will  testify,  how  lit- 
tle we  have  sought  to  influence  them  on  the  topicks  of  dis- 
pute among  christians,  how  little  we  have  laboured  to  make 
them  partisans,  how  constantly  we  have  besought  them  to 
look  with  candour  on  other  denominations,  and  to  delight  in 
all  the  marks   which  others  exhibit  of  piety,  and  goodness. 
Our  great  and  constant  object  has   been  to  promote   the 
spirit  of  Christ,  and  we  have  been  persuaded,  that  in  this 
way  we  should  most   effectually  promote  the  interests  of 
christian  truth. 

These  remarks  will  shew,  how  entirely  unfounded  are  the 
charges,  which  are  adduced  against  us,  of  insincerity  and 
base  hypocrisy.  And  are  we  not  authorized,  my  brother, 
to  repel  these  charges  with  some  degree  of  warmth  ?     Are 


18 

we  not  called  to  speak  in  the  language  of  indignant  and  in- 
sulted virtue,  as  well  as  of  pity  and  sorrow,  in  relation  to  the 
man,  who  is  propagating  these  unmerited  reproaches  ?  We 
are  christians  by  profession,  and  ministers  of  the  Gospel, 
governed,  as  we  humbly  hope,  by  the  principles  of  Jesus 
Christ.  \Ve  honour  his  name  ;  we  remember  his  dying 
love  with  gratitude ;  and  I  hope  we  are  ready  to  meet  the 
loss  of  all  things  in  his  service  ;  and  yet  we  are  represented 
to  our  people  as  unprincipled  men,  wearing  a  mask,  and 
practising  the  basest  arts.  And  we  are  thus  loaded  with 
invective  and  abuse,  that  we  may  be  robbed  of  that  influ- 
ence, Avhich,  if  we  know  ourselves,  we  wish  to  exert  for  the 
honour  of  God,  and  the  salvation  of  mankind ;  that  we  may 
be  robbed  of  the  confidence  and  affection  of  our  societies, 
and  may  be  forsaken  by  them  as  unworthy  the  christian 
name.  Need  I  ask,  whether  this  be  a  light  injury  or  an 
ordinary  crime  ? 

On  the  present  occasion,  when  our  moral  character 
is  impeached,  we  are  justified,  I  think,  in  an  appeal  to 
our  respective  societies ;  and  I  trust,  my  friend,  that  we 
and  our  accused  brethren  can  say  with  confidence  to  those 
to  whom  we  minister,  *'  Brethren,  you  know  us,  for  we 
live  among  you  ;  we  visit  you  in  your  families,  we  speak  to 
you  from  the  pulpit ;  we  repair  to  you  in  your  sorrows,  and 
we  sit  too  at  the  table  of  your  festivity.  You  know  some- 
thing of  our  conduct  in  our  families,  and  in  the  common 
relations  of  life.  We  are,  indeed  sensible,  that  in  all  these 
situations,  we  have  exhibited  to  you  much  of  human  imper- 
fection, and  our  frequent  prayer  to  God  is,  that  he  will  for- 
give our  deficiences.  Bui,  brethren,  we  ask  you  to  recol- 
lect our  general  deportment  and  ministrations.  Have  we 
seemed  to  you  men  of  artifice  and  deceit,  men  without  rev- 
erence for  truth,  and  without  the  fear  of  God,  men  of  sordid 
and  selfish  views,  seeking  your  wealth  or  applause,  and 
careless  of  your  souls  ?  Have  we  ever  seemed  to  you  to  be 


19 

labouring  to  build  up  a  cause,  or  to  establish  a  party,  which 
we  were  ashamed  to  acknowledge  ?  Have  we  ever  directed 
you  to  any  foundation  of  hope  or  guide  of  hfe,  but  the  Gos- 
pel of  Christ  ?  Have  we  not  continually  exhorted  you,  as  a 
father  doth  his  children,  that  you  would  walk  worthy  of  this 
religion  from  heaven  ?  In  your  affliction  have  we  not  sup- 
plied you  with  the  consolations  which  it  offers  ?  and  in  the 
more  dangerous  seasons  of  enjoyment,  have  we  not'  discov- 
ered the  purity  and  moderation  which  it  inculcates  ?  To 
what  work  of  christian  usefulness  have  you  found  us  reluc- 
tant? In  what  relation  of  life  have  you  found  us  unfaithful  ? 
On  what  occasion  have  we  discovered,  that  our  profession 
is  a  cloak  of  hypocrisy  ?  It  is  not  our  design,  by  these 
questions,  to  advance  our  own  glory  ;  God  forbid  it  :  But 
we  wish  to  impress  you  deeply  with  the  criminality  of  those 
aspersions,  which  are  cast  habitually  on  your  teachers  ;  and 
with  the  urgent  necessity  of  discouraging  that  unrelenting 
party  spirit,  which  has  no  respect  for  innocence  or  virtue, 
and  which  threatens  to  overwhelm  our  churches  with  dis- 
cord and  contention." 

III.  I  now  come  to  the  third  head  of  the  Review,  which 
I  propose  to  consider.  The  Reviewer,  having  charged  us 
with  holding  the  opinions  of  Mr.  Belsham,  and  hypocritical- 
ly concealing  them,  solemnly  calls  on  christians  who  differ 
from  us  in  sentiment,  "  to  come  out  and  be  separate  from 
Hs,  and  to  withhold  communion  with  us  ;"  and  a  paragraph 
of  the  bitterest  contempt  and  insult  is  directed  against  those 
ministers  who,whiIst  they  disagree  on  tlie  controverted  points 
of  theology,  are  yet  disposed  to  love  and  treat  us  as  brethren. 
This  language  does  not  astonish  me,  when  I  recollect  the 
cry  of  heresy  which  hais  been  so  loudly  raised  against  this 
part  of  the  country.  But  I  believe  that  this  is  the  first  in- 
stance, in  which  christians  have  been  deliberately  called  to 
deny  us  the  christian  name  and  privileges.     As  such  let  it 


20 

be  remembered ;  and  let  Ihe   consequences  of  it  lie  on  its 
authors. 

Why  is  it  that  our  brethren  are  thus  instigated  to  cut  us 
off,  as  far  as  thej  have  power,  from  the  body  and  church  of 
Christ  ?  Let  every  christian  weigh  well  the  answer.  It  is 
not  because  we  refuse  to  acknowledge  Jesus  Christ  as  our 
LoBcl  and  Master ;  it  is  not  because  we  neglect  to  study  his 
word  ;  it  is  nof,  because  our  lives  are  wanting  in  the  spirit 
and  virtues  of  his  gospel.  It  is,  because  after  serious  in- 
vestigation, we  cannot  find  in  the  Scriptures,  and  cannot 
adopt  as  instructions  of  our  blaster,  certain  doctrines,  which 
have  divided  the  church  for  ages,  which  have  perplexed 
the  best  and  wisest  men,  and  which  are  very  differently 
conceived  even  by  those  who  profess  to  receive  them.  It 
is,  in  particular,  because  we  cannot  adopt  the  language  of 
our  brethren,  in  relation  to  a  doctrine,  which  we  cannot  un- 
derstand, and  which  is  expressed  in  words  not  only  unau- 
thorized by  the  Scripture,  but  as  we  believe,  in  words  era- 
ployed  without  meaning,  (unless  they  mean  that  there  are 
three  Gods,)  by  those  who  insist  upon  them.  This  is  our 
crime,  that  Ave  cannot  think  and  speak  with  our  brethren  on 
subjects  the  most  difficult  and  perplexing,  on  which  the  hu- 
man mind  was  ever  engaged.  For  this  we  are  pursued  with 
the  cry  of  heresy,  and  are  to  have  no  rest  until  virtually  ex- 
communicated by  our  brethren. 

Were  the  christian  world  more  enlightened  on  the 
nature  of  heresy,  they  would  not  be  so  much  alarmed 
when  they  hear  it  attached  to  their  brethren.  Most 
earnestly  do  I  wish  that  the  Dissertation  of  Dr.  Camp- 
bell on  Heresy,  in  his  "  Translation  of  the  Four  Gos- 
pels," were  more  generally  read  and  considered.  He 
has  proved,  I  think,  very  satisfactorily,  that  heresy,  as  the 
word  is  used  in  the  Scriptures,  does  not  consist  in  the  adop- 
tion or  profession  of  wrong  opinions,  but  in  a.  spirit  of  divi- 
sion, of  dissension,  of  party,  in  a  factious  and  tnrbnlent 


21 

temper  ;  and  that  the  heretick  is  not  a  man  who  entertains 
erroneous  or  even  injurious  sentiments,  but  one  mho  loves 
to  be  called  Rabbi  and  master  ;  who  has  a  disposition  to 
separate  christians,  to  create  or  to  extend  sects  and  parties. 
The  conchision  of  the  Dissertation  of  this  most  judicious 
writer  on  Heresy,  deserves  to  be  imprinted  on  every  mind 
in  these  dajs  of  dissension.  "  No  person,  who,  in  the  spirit 
"  of  candour  and  charity,  adheres  to  that  which  to  the  best 
"of  his  judgment  is  right,  though  in  this  opinion  he  should 
"  be  mistaken,  is  in  the  scriptural  sense  either  schismatick 
"  or  heretick  ;  and  he,  on  the  contrary,  whatever  sect  he 
"  belongs  to,  is  more  entitled  to  these  odious  appellations, 
"w/io  is  most  apt  to  throw  the  imputation  tipon  others. 
"  Both  terms,  (for  they  denote  only  different  degrees  of 
"  the  same  bad  quality,)  always  indicate  a  disposition  and 
"  practice  unfriendly  to  peace  and  harmony  and  love.''* 
If  these  views  be  correct,  there  is  no  difficulty  in  deciding, 
to  what  persons  among  us  the  name  of  heretick  most  justly 
belongs  ;  and  we  shall  be  forced  to  conclude,  that  of  all  pub- 
lications which  have  issued  from  our  press,  no  one  is  more 
tinctured  with  the  spirit  of  heresy,  than  the  Review,  which 
it  is  my  painful  office  to  examine. 

Most  earnestly  do  I  hope  that  christians  will  weigh  well 
the  nature  and  guilt  of  schism,  the  consequences  of  separa- 
tion, and  the  spirit  of  their  religion,  before  they  adopt  the 
measure  recomm^ided  in  this  Review.  For  myself,  the 
universe  would  not  tempt  me  to  bear  a  part  in  this  work  of 
dividing  Christ's  church,  and  of  denouncing  his  followers. 
If  there  be  an  act  which,  above  all  others,  is  a  transgression 
of  the  christian  law,  it  is  this.  What  is  the  language  of  our 
Master?  "A  new  commandment  I  give  unto  you,  that 
ye  love  one  another.  By  this  shall  all  men  know,  that 
ye  are  my   disciples,  if  ye  have   love   one  to  another.'' 

*  Campbell's  Gospels,  Vol.  II.  p.  141,  Boston  edition. 


22 

"  Bear  jc  one  another's  burdens,"  says  St.  Paul,  "and  so  ful- 
fil the  lam  of  Christ.'"  But  what  says  this  Review  ?  "  Cast 
out  your  brethren,  and  treat  them  as  heathens."  I  know  it 
will  be  said,  tliat  christians  are  not  called  upon  to  reject  real 
christians,  but  hereticks  and  false  pretenders  to  the  name. 
But  heresy,  we  have  seen,  is  not  a  false  opinion,  but  a  sec- 
tarian spirit ;  and  as  to  false  pretences,  we  desire  those 
who  know  us,  to  put  their  hands  on  their  hearts,  and  ta  say, 
whether  they  can  for  a  moment  believe  that  we  hypocritical- 
ly profess  to  follow  the  instructions  of  Jesus  Christ  ?  Does 
charity  discover  nothing  in  our  language  and  lives  to  justify 
the  hope  that  we  are  united  to  Jesus  Christ  by  love  for  his 
character,  and  by  participation  of  his  spirit?  Most  earnest- 
ly would  I  advise  those  persons  who  are  inclined  to  follow 
the  instigations  of  this  Review,  to  think  seriously  before 
they  act ;  to  remember,  that  Jesus  Christ  has  solemnly  for- 
bidden uncharitable  judgment,  that  he  regards  the  injuries 
which  are  done  to  his  followers,  through  a  censorious  spirit, 
as  done  to  himself,  and  that  christians  cannot  more  surely 
forsake  their  Lord,  the  Prince  of  peace,  than  by  following 
an  inciter  to  denunciation  and  division. 

I  wish  that  my  motives  for  these  earnest  remonstrances 
against  division  may  be  understood.  I  feel  as  little  person- 
al interest  in  the  subject  as  any  individual  in  the  community. 
Were  the  proposed  separation  to  take  place,  I  should  still 
enjoy  the  ordinances  of  the  gospel  in  th^  society  of  those 
whom  I  best  love.  The  excommunication  which  is  threat- 
ened gives  me  no  alarm.  1  hear  this  angry  thunder  mur- 
mur at  a  distance,  with  as  little  concern  as  if  it  were  the  thun- 
der of  the  pope,  from  whom  it  seems  indeed  to  be  borroAved. 
But  whilst  I  fear  nothing  for  myself,  I  do  fear  and  feel  for 
that  body  of  which  Christ  is  the  head,  which  has  been 
bleeding  for  ages  under  the  contests  of  christians,  and  which 
is  now  threatened  with  a  new  wound.     I  feel  for  the  cause 


23 

of  our  common  cliristianltj,  which  I  am  set  to  defend,  and 
which  has  suffered  inconceivably  more  from  the  bad  pas- 
sions and  divisions  of  its  friends,  than  from  all  the  arts  and 
violence  of  its  foes.  I  cannot  but  look  forward  with  pain  to 
the  irritations,  hatreds,  bitter  recriminations,  censoriousness, 
spiritual  pride,  and  schismatical  spirit  which  will  grow  up 
under  this  system  of  denunciation  and  exclusion,  and  which 
may  not  only  convulse  many  churches  at  the  present  mo- 
roeri),  but  will  probably  end  in  most  unhappy  divisions 
among  the  very  christians  who  denounce  us  ;  who  se^rn 
indeed  to  be  united,  now  that  a  common  enemy  is  to  be 
trodden  under  foot,  but  who  have  sufficient  diversities  of 
opinion,  to  awaken  against  each  other  all  the  fury  of  into- 
lerance, when  this  shall  have  become  the  temper  and  habit 
of  their  minds.  I  repeat  it,  I  have  no  interest  in  this 
point,  but  as  a  christian  ;  and  as  such,  I  look  with  a  degree 
of  horrour  on  this  attempt  to  inflame  and  distract  our  church- 
es. Errour  of  opinion  is  an  evil  too  trifling  to  be  named  in 
comparison  with  this  practical  departure  from  the  Gospel, 
with  this  proud,  censorious,  overbearing  temper,  which  says 
to  a  large  body  of  christians,  "  stand  off",  we  are  holier  than 

you." 

Before  I  leave  this  question  of  separation,  let  me  just  ob- 
•erve,  that  by  this  Review,  not  only  we  and  our  brethren 
are  cut  off  from  the  body  of  Christ ;  but  the  most  venera- 
ble men  who  have  left  us,  and  who,  when  living,  were  es- 
teemed ornaments  of  the  church,  such  men  as  the  late 
President  Willard,  Dr.  Howard,  Dr.  Eckley,  Dr.  Eliot, 
and  Dr.  Barnard,  are  declared  unworthy  of  the  communion 
of  the  church  on  earth,  and  of  course  unfit  for  the  fellowship 
of  saints  in  heaven.  It  would  be  easy  to  show,  that  the 
same  dreadful  sentence  is  past  on  some  of  the  most  exem- 
plary men  in  civil  life,  to  whom  this  commonwealth  is 
indebted  for  the  stability  of  its  civil  and   religious  institu- 


24 

tions.*  These  all  having  lived,  as  they  thought,  in  the 
Hiilh  of  Christ,  and  having  died  with  a  hope  in  his  precious 
promises,  are  now  cut  off  from  his  church,  and  denied  his 
name.  What  christian  does  not  shudder  at  this  awful  te- 
merity in  a  frail  and  erring  fellow-being,  who  thus  presumes 
to  sit  in  judgment  on  men,  who  in  purity  and  sincerity  and 
devotion  to  God,  were  certainly  not  inferiour  to  himself?  I 
stop  here,  for  I  wish  not  to  indulge  in  language  of  severity  ; 
and  this  subject,  if  any,  may  be  left  to  speak  for  itself  to  the 
heart  of  the  christian. 

Having  thus  considered  the  three  principal  heads  in  the 
Review,  I  now  proceed,  as  I  proposed,  to  offer  a  few  words 
of.friendly  admonition,  as  to  the  temper  and  conduct  which 
become  our  brethren  and  ourselves,  under  the  injuries  which 
we  receive.  The  first  suggestion  you  have  undoubtedly 
anticipated.  It  is,  that  we  remember  the  great  duty 
which  belongs  to  us  as  christians,  of  regarding  our  enemies 
with  good  will,  if  possible  with  a  degree  of  approbation,  at 
least  with  displeasure  tempered  with  compassion.  We 
profess  to  accord  with  that  apostle,  who  has  taught  us  that 
charity  is  greater  than  faith  and  hope,  more  excellent  than 
the  tongue  of  angels  and  the  understanding  of  all  mysteries. 
Let  us  prove  our  sincerity  by  our  deeds.  Let  us  cheerful- 
ly avail  ourselves  of  every  circumstance,  which  will  justify 
the  belief,  that  the  cruel  and  bitter  remarks  of  our  adversa- 
ries proceed  not  from  a  wanton  and  unblushing  contempt  of 
truth,  but  from  deep  rooted  prejudices,  false  views  of  reli- 
gion, unsuspected  biasscs  to  censoriousness,  and  a  disor- 

*  Were  it  anol)ject  to  enumerate  all  who  are  involved  in  this  sweep- 
ing sentence  of  condemnation,  I  might  mention  Locke,  Newton,  Gro- 
tiiis,  Dr.  Samuel  Clarke,  I.aidner,  Price,  Paley,  and  other  names  most 
conspicuous  among  the  friends  of  science  and  religion.  All  these  were 
decided  I'nitarians  ;  and  can  any  imagine  that  Christianity  is  to  be 
promoted  by  driving  these  men  from  the  christian  church  ? 


25 

dered  imagination  ;  and  whilst  we  lament  that  they  do  not 
partake  more  largely  of  the  best  influences  of  the  gospel, 
let  us  be  induced  to  hope  that  their  profession  of  the  gos- 
pel is  sincere,  and  that  their  departure  from  its  spirit  is  un- 
known to  themselves*  As  to  the  great  mass  of  those  chris- 
tians, who  view  us  with  so  much  jealousy,  we  must  remem- 
ber, that  they  know  us  only  by  report,  that  they  believe  as 
they  are  taught  by  men  to  whom  they  ascribe  an  eminent 
sanctity,  and  that  they  are  liable  to  be  carried  away  on  this, 
as  on  every  otiier  subject,  by  loud  assertion,  and  by  ad- 
dresses to  their  fear.  Accustomed  as  they  are  to  hear  us 
branded  wi(h  names  and  epitheff.,  to  which  they  have  at- 
tached no  definite  ideas,  but  which  seem  to  them  to  express 
every  thing  depraved,  can  we  wonder  that  they  shrink- from 
us  with  a  kind  of  terrour  ?  Towards  this  great  class  of  our 
opposers,  we  certainly  owe  nothing  but  kindness ;  and  we 
should  esteem  it  an  unspeakable  happiness,  that  we  can  look 
with  so  much  pleasure  and  hope  on  those  by  whom  we  are 
dreaded  and  shunned  ;  that  we  are  not  obliged  by  our  sys- 
tem to  regard  our  adversaries  as  the  enemies  of  God,  and 
the  objects  of  his  wrath.  On  this  point,  above  all  others, 
I  would  be  urgent.  Our  -danger  is,  that  reproach  will  hurry 
us  into  language  or  conduct  unbecoming  the  spirit  of  our 
master.  Let  us  remember  that  our  opposers  cannot  ulti- 
mately injure  us,  unless  we  permit  them  to  awaken  bad  pas- 
sions, and  to  impair  our  virtues.  Let  us  remember  what  is 
due  from  us  to  our  religion.  The  more  that  our  age  is  un- 
charitable, the  more  that  the  glory  of  the  gospel  is  obscured 
by  its  being  exhibited  as  a  source  of  censoriousness  and 
contention,  the  more  we  owe  it  to  our  Lord  to  wipe  off  this 
reproach  froia  his  truth,  to  shew  the  loveliness  of  his  reli- 
gion, to  show  its  power  in  changing  the  heart  into  the  image 
of  divine  forbearance  and  forgiveness.  Is  the  gospel  at 
this  moment  receiving  deep  wounds  in  the  house  of  its 
4 


26 

iViends  .'   Let  us  guard  with  new  jealousy  its  interests  and 
honour. 

Tiie  second  suggeslion  I  would  offer,  is  this.  Whilst  we 
disapprove  and  lament  the  unchristian  spirit  of  some  of  our 
opposers,  and  the  efforts  which  are  used  to  make  us  odious, 
let  us  jet  acknowledge  that  there  is  kindness  in  that 
Providence,  which  permits  this  trial  to  befall  us.  We  es- 
teem it  indeed  a  hardship  to  be  numbered  hy  our  brethren 
among  the  enemies  of  that  Saviour  whom  we  love.  But 
let  us  remember,  that  we  as  well  as  others  need  afliiclion  : 
and  it  is  my  persuasion  and  hope  that  God  intends  by  this 
dispensation  to  purify  our  characters  and  extend  our  useful- 
ness. The  singular  prosperity  which  we  have  enjoyed, 
has  undoubtedly  exposed  us  to  peculiar  temptations.  Per- 
haps in  no  part  of  the  world  is  the  condition  of  ministers 
more  favoured  than  ours.  AVhilst  we  receive  nothing  of  a 
superstilious  homage  or  a  blind  submission,  we  find  our- 
selves respected  by  all  classes  of  society,  and,  may  I  not 
say,  distinguished  by  the  eminent,  the  enlightened  and  the 
good?  We  are  received  with  a  kind  of  domestick  affection 
into  Ihe  families  of  our  parishioners.  Our  sufferings  call 
forth  their  s}  mpathy,  and  in  sickness  we  enjoy  every  aid 
which  tenderness  and  liberality  can  bestow.  Our  minis- 
trations are  attended  with  a  seriousness,  which,  however 
due  to  the  truth  which  we  deliver,  we  often  feel  to  be  poor- 
ly deserved,  by  the  imperfect  manner  in  which  it  is  dis- 
pensed. In  our  societies  there  are  no  divisions,  no  jealous- 
ies, no  parties  to  disturb  us.  Whilst  for  these  singular 
blessings,  we  should  give  thanks  to  the  Author  of  all  good, 
we  should  remember,  that  human  virtue  is  often  unable  to 
sustain  uninterrupted  prosperity  ;  that  a  condition  so  fa- 
voured tends  to  awaken  pride  and  self-indulgence  ;  and  that 
God,  who  knows  us  better  than  we  know  ourselves,  may  see 
that  we  need  reproach   and   opposition  to  make  us  better 


2r 

men  and  better  ministers.  I  can  certainly  saj  for  myself, 
that  the  spirit  of  denunciation  in  our  country,  has  led  me  to 
a  more  serious  and  habitual  study  of  the  scriptures,  and  to 
a  deeper  feeling  of  my  responsibility,  than  I  should  have 
attained  in  a  more  peaceful  condition.  Let  us  then  resign 
ourselves  to  God,  who  in  infinite  wisdom  sees  fit  to  expose 
us  to  the  scourge  of  evil  tongues.  Let  this  trial  awaken  us 
to  new  watchfulness,  devotion,  and  fidelity  ;  and  we  may 
trust  that  it  will  be  overruled  to  the  extension  of  our  useful- 
ness, and  to  the  promotion  of  pure  and  undefiled  religion. 

A  third,  and  a  very  important  suggestion  is  this  :  Let  us 
holdfast  our  uprightness.  1  have  said,  that  the  opposition 
to  which  we  are  exposed  has  its  advantages ;  but  whilst  it 
preserves  us  from  the  temptation  of  prosperity,  it  brings 
some  temptation  of  its  own,  which  we  cannot  too  steadfastly 
resist.  It  will  try  our  integrity.  That  our  churches  are 
to  be  generally  shaken  by  the  assault  which  is  made  upon 
them,  I  am  far  from  believing.  But  some  may  suffer.  It 
is  not  impossible,  that  the  efforts  which  are  now  employed 
lo  direct  against  us  (he  uncharitableness  and  mistaken  zeal 
of  the  country,  and  to  spread  disaffection  through  the  most 
uninstructed  and  the  most  easily  excited  classes  of  society, 
may  produce  some  effect.  We  know  the  fluctuations  of 
the  human  mind.  We  know  that  the  sincerest  christians 
are  often  unduly  influenced  b}^  timidity,  and  may  be  brought 
lo  suspect  a  minister,  when  he  is  decried  as  a  heretick,  who 
is  leading  souls  to  hell.  It  requires  more  strength  of 
nerves  and  more  independence  of  mind  than  all  good  people 
possess,  to  withstand  this  incessant  clamour.  A  storm  then 
may  be  gathering  over  some  of  us,  and  the  sufferers  may 
be  tempted  to  bend  to  it.  But  God  forbid,  my  friend,  that 
any  of  us  should  give  support  to  the  aspersions  cast  on  our 
uprightness,  by  ever  suppressing  our  convictions,  or  speak- 
ing a  language  foreign  to  our  hearts.     Through  good  report 


28 

and  fluongh  evH  report,  let  us  with  simpHcitj  and  sincerity 
declare  what  wc  Ijelicve  to  be  the  will  of  God  and  the  way 
to  Heaven,  and  thus  secure  to  ourselves  that  peace  of  con- 
science  which   is  infinitely   better  than   the  smiles  of  the 
world.     Let  us  never  forget,  that  the  most  honoured  condi- 
tion on  earth  is  that  of  being  sufferers  for  the  sake  of  right- 
eousness, for  adherence  to  what  we  deem  the  cause  of  God 
and  holiness,  and  let  us  welcome    suffering,  if  it  shall  be 
appointed  us,  as  bringing  us  nearer  to  our  persecuted  Lord, 
and  his  injured  apostles.     My  brother,  we  profess  to  count 
man's  judgment  as  a  light  thing,  to  esteem  this  world  and 
all  which  il  offers  to  be  vanity.     We  profess  to  look  up  to  a 
heavenly  inheritance,  and  to  hope  that  we  sliall  one  day 
mingle  with  angels  and  just  men  made  perfect.     And  with 
these  sublime  hopes,  shall  we  tremble  before  frail  and  falli- 
ble fellow  creatures,  be  depressed  by  difficulties,  or  shrink 
from  the  expression  of  what  we  deem  important  and  useful 
truth  ?  God  forbid. 

I  have  time  to  add  but  one  more  su<rgcstion.     Let  us  be- 
ware lest  opposition  and  reproach  lead  any  of  us  into  a  sec- 
tarian attachment  to  our  peculiar  opinions.     This  is  a  dan- 
ger to  which  persons  of  ardent  and  irritable   temper  are  pe- 
culiarly exposed.     Too  many  of  us  are   apt  to  cling  to  a 
system  in  proportion  as  it  is  assailed,  to  consider  ourselves 
pledged  lo  doctrines  which  we  have   openly   espoused,  to 
rally  round  (hem  as  if  our  own  honour  and  interest  were  at 
stake,  and  lo  assert  them  with  more  and  more  posiliveness, 
as  if  we  were  incapable  of  errour.     This  is  the  infirmity  of 
our  frail  nature  ;  and  whilst  we  condemn  it  in  others,  let  us 
not  allow  it  in  ourscivcs.     Let  us  be  what  we  profess  to  be, 
patient  inquirers  after  truth,  open  to  conviction,  willing  to 
listen    to  objections,   willing  lo   renounce   errour,  willing  to 
believe  thai  we  as  well  as  others  may  have  been   warped  in 
our  opinions,  by  education  and  situation,  and   that  olheis 


29 

may  have  acquired  important  truths  which,  through  weak- 
ness or  prejudice,  we  may  have  overlooked.  Were  we  a 
party,  anxious  to  make  proselytes,  we  should  do  well  to  be 
positive  and  overbearing.  But  we  profess  to  be  anxious 
that  our  fellow  christians  should  inquire  for  themselves  into 
the  difficulties  of  religion,  instead  of  implicitly  receiving 
w  hat  we  have  embraced.  We  profess  to  believe,  that  can- 
did and  impartial  research  will  guide  mankind  to  a  purer 
system  of  Christianity,  than  is  now  to  be  found  in  any  church 
or  country  under  Heaven.  Most  earnestly  do  I  hope  that 
Me  shall  not  be  betrayed  by  any  violence  of  assault  into  a 
sectarian  heat  and  obstinacy,  which  will  discredit  our  pro- 
fession, and  obstruct  this  glorious  reformation  of  the  church 
of  God. 

I  hsive  thus,  my  brother,  considered  the  charges,  by 
which  we  and  our  brethren  have  been  assailed,  and  have 
endeavoured  to  recommend  the  temper  with  which  we 
should  meet  reproach  and  insult.  I  intended  to  offer  a  few 
remarks  on  some  other  topicks  introduced  into  the  Review  : 
but  this  letter  is  already  extended  far  beyond  the  limits 
which  I  originally  prescribed.  I  cannot,  however,  pass 
over  in  silence  the  charges  against  Harvard  University, 
that  ven^able  institution,  which  so  many  excellent  men  in 
this  commonwealth  are  accustomed  to  regard  with  filial  affec- 
tion and  honour,  and  to  which  we  are  all  so  much  indebted 
for  the  light  of  knowledge,  and  for  whatever  capacities  of 
usefulness  to  society  we  may  possess.  The  statement  of 
the  Reviewer,  that  the  propagation  of  Unitarianism  in  that 
University  is  the  object  of  regular  and  well  concerted  exer- 
tion, is  altogether  false.  I  am  persuaded  that  such  a  plan 
never  entered  the  thoughts  of  those  to  whom  the  department 
of  theological  instruction  is  entrusted.  The  books  in  which 
the  classes  are  taught,  were  selected  for  the  very  purpose 
of  avoiding,  as  far  as  possible,   the  controversies  of  theolo- 


gians,  and  the  inculcation  of  any  peculiarities  of  opiuion  on 
the  minds  of  the  studenls.  They  are,  "  Grotius  on  the 
Truth  of  the  Christian  Religion,"  "  Paley's  Evidences,'* 
"Butler's  Analogy,"  and  "  Griesbach's  New  Testament." 
The  charge  of  the  Reviewer,  that  the  students,  instructed  as 
they  are  in  these  works,  by  a  professor  of  exemplary  puri- 
ty and  uprightness,  are  yet  taught  to  deny  Jesus  Christ, 
will,  I  trust,  excite  the  indignation  and  abhorrence  of  every 
unperverled  mind. 

liad  I  lime,  I  should  feel  it  my  duty  to  ofter  some  re- 
marks on  the  general  style  of  the  publication  which  I  am 
called  to  examine.  It  not  only  abounds  in  misrepresenta- 
tion, and  breathes  an  unchristian  spirit,  but  it  is  written  in  a 
style  which  tends  to  deprave  the  taste  and  manners  of  the 
community.  It  is  suited  to  give  a  coarse  and  vulgar  charac- 
ter to  the  conversation  and  deportment  of  those  christians 
whom  it  may  influence.  It  abounds  in  sneer  and  insult,  and 
bears  the  marks  of  a  writer  better  fitted  to  fill  the  pages  of  an 
inflammatory  newspaper,  than  to  be  the  guide  of  the  mild  and 
benevolent  disciples  of  Jesus  Christ.  I  trust,  however, 
that  its  style  and  spirit  will  do  much  to  counteract  its  perni- 
cious tendency.  I  have  too  much  respect  for  this  people 
to  believe  that  wanton  assaults  on  the  moral  chMacler  of 
ministers  and  private  christians  will  be  encouraged  and  ap- 
proved. I  even  hope  that  good  will  in  many  cases  result 
from  this  publication.  1  trust,  lliat  those  christians  who 
liave  been  partiallv  misled  by  the  denouncing  spirit  of  the 
times,  will  now  pause  and  consider;  that  all  christians,  of 
whatever  name,  who  have  any  delicacy  and  tenderness  of 
fueling,  will  learn  the  true  character  of  that  unhallowed  zeal 
which  is  seeking  to  divide  our  churches  ;  and  that  in  this 
way,  some  important  aid  will  be  given  to  the  cause  of  peace 
and  charity.  May  God,  whose  glory  it  is  to  bring  good 
fio:ii  evil,  thus  Cause  "  tlie  wrath  of  nn>n  to  praise  him." 


31 

I  think  it  proper,  in  conclusion,  to  observe  that  I  shall 
not  feel  myself  bound  to  notice  any  replies  which  m^y  be 
made  to  this  letter,  especially  if  they  appear  in  the  Pano- 
plist.  I  consider  that  work  as  having  forfeited  all  claim  on 
the  confidence  of  candid,  upright,  and  honourable  men.  If 
any  remarks  on  this  letter  shall  appear,  written  with  the 
spirit  of  a  christian,  or  in  the  style  of  a  gentleman,  I  shall 
read  them  with  care,  and  I  hope  with  impartiality  ;  and  I 
shall  readily  retract  any  of  my  opinions  or  statements  which 
I  shall  see  to  be  erroneous,  if  they  shall  be  thought  suffi- 
ciently important  to  demand  publick  acknowledgment. 

I  now  commit  this  humble  effort  to  promote  the  peace 
and  union  of  the  church,  and  the  cause  of  truth  and  free 
inquiry,  to  the  blessing  of  Almighty  God.  That  in  wri- 
ting it,  I  have  escaped  every  unchristian  feeling,  I  dare  not 
hope  ;  and  for  every  departure  from  the  spirit  of  his  gos- 
pel, I  implore  his  forgiveness.  If  I  have  fallen  into  errour, 
I  beseech  him  to  discover  it  to  my  own  mind,  and  to  pre- 
vent its  influence  on  the  minds  of  others.  It  is  an  unspeak- 
able consolation  that  we  and  our  labours  are  in  his  hand, 
and  that  the  cause  of  the  gospel  is  his  peculiar  care.  That 
he  may  honour  us  as  the  instruments  of  extending  the 
knowledge  and  the  spirit  of  the  gospel,  is  the  earnest  prayer 
of  your  friend  and  brother  in  Christ, 

W.  E.  CHANNJNG. 

Boston,  June  20»  1815. 


NOTES. 


Note  J,  page  5. 

I  HAVE  used  the  phrase  or  denomination  Liberal  Christians, 
because  it  is  employed  by  the  Reviewer  to  distinguish  those  whom 
he  assails.  I  have  never  been  inclined  to  claim  this  appellation 
for  myself  or  my  friends,  because  as  the  word  liberality  expresses 
the  noblest  qualities  of  the  human  mind,  freedom  from  local 
prejudices  and  narrow  feelings,  the  enlargement  of  the  views  and 
aflfections, — I  have  thought  that  the  assumption  of  it  would 
savour  of  that  spirit,  which  has  attempted  to  limit  the  words 
orthodox  and  evangelical  to  a  particular  body  of  christians.  As 
the  appellation,  however,  cannot  well  be  avoided,  I  will  state 
the  meaning  which  I  attach  to  it. 

By  a  liberal  christian  I  understand  one,  who  is  disposed  to 
receive  as  his  brethren  in  Christ,  all  who  in  the  judgment  of 
charity,  sincerely  profess  to  receive  Jesus  Christ  as  their  Lord 
and  Master.  He  rejects  all  tests  or  standards  of  christian  faith 
and  of  christian  character,  but  the  word  of  Jesus  Christ  and  of 
his  inspired  apostles.  He  thinks  it  an  act  of  disloyalty  to  his 
Master  to  introduce  into  the  church  creeds  of  fallible  men  as 
bonds  of  union,  or  terms  of  christian  fellowship.  He  calls  him- 
self by  no  name  derived  from  human  leaders,  disclaims  all  exclu- 
sive connexion  with  any  sect  or  party,  professes  himself  a  mem- 
ber of  the  church  universal  on  earth  and  in  heaven,  and  cheer- 
fully extends  the  hand  of  brotherhood  to  every  man  of  every 
name  who  discovers  the  spirit  of  Jesus  Christ. 

According  to  this  view  of  liberal  christians,  they  cannot  be 
called  a  party.  They  are  distinguished  only  by  refusing  to  sepa- 
rate themselves  in  any  form  or  degree  from  the  great  body  of 
Christ.     They  are  scattered  too  through  all  classes  of  Christians. 

5 


34 

I  hare  known  Trinitarians  and  Calvinists,  who  justly  deserve 
the  name  of  liberal,  who  regard  with  affection  all  who  apf)ear 
to  follow  Jesus  Christ  in  temper  and  life,  however  they  may 
dilfer  on  the  common  points  of  theological  controversy.  To  tkis 
class  of  christians,  which  is  scattered  over  the  earth,  and  which 
I  trust  has  never  been  extinct  in  any  age,  I  profess  and  desire 
to  belong.  God  send  them  prosperity. — In  this  part  of  the  coun- 
try, liberal  christians,  as  they  have  been  above  described,  are 
generally,  though  by  no  rae^ns  universally,  Unitarians  in  the 
proper  sense  of  that  word.  It  is  of  this  part  of  them  that  I 
chiefly  speak  in  this  letter. 

I  cannot  forbear  enforcing  the  sentiments  of  this  note  and  of 
the  letter  by  a  passage  from  the  venerable  Baxter,  as  I  find  it 
quoted  by  Grove  from  the  preface  to  the  second  part  of  "  Saints' 
Everlasting  Rest." 

"  Two  things  have  get  the  church  on  fire,  and  been  the  plagues 
of  it  above  one  thousand  years; — Ist.  Enlarging  our  creed,  and 
making  more  fundamentals  than  ever  God  made,  2d.  Compos- 
ing, and  so  imposing,  our  creeds  and  confessions  in  our  own 
words  and  phrases,  ^fhen  men  have  learned  more  manners 
and  humility  than  to  accuse  God's  language  as  too  general  and 
obscure,  as  if  they  could  mend  it — and  have  more  dread  of  God 
and  compassion  on  themselves,  than  to  make  those  to  be  funda- 
mentals or  certainties  which  God  never  made  so;  and  when  they 
retluce  their  confessions,  Ist.  to  their  due  extent,  and  2d.  to  scrip- 
ture phrases,  that  dissenters  may  not  scruple  subscribing — then, 
and  I  think  never  till  then,  shall  the  church  have  peace  about  doc- 
trinals.  It  seems  to  me  no  heinous  Socinian  notion  which  Chil- 
lingworth  is  blamed  for,  viz.  Let  all  men  believe  the  Scripture, 
and  that  only,  and  endeavour  to  believe  it  in  the  true  sense,  and 
promise  this,  and  require  no  more  of  others,  and  they  shall  find 
this  not  only  a  better,  but  the  only  means  t»  suppress  heresy 
find  restore  umly.''' 


35 


Note  B,  page  6. 


I  have  mentioned  the  name  of  Dr.  Eckley,  because  his  opin- 
ions on  this  subject  were  again  and  again  expressed  before  me 
with  perfect  frankness,  and  are  stated  with  great  distinctness  in 
his  letter  to  the  Rev.  Thomas  Worcester  of  Salisbury,  from  which 
I  subjoin  an  extract. 

"  My  plan,  when  I  saw  you,  as  I  think  I  intimated,  respecting  the 
Son  of  God,  was  very  similar  to  what  your  brother*  has  now  adopt- 
ed. The  common  plan  of  three  self-existent  persons  forming  one 
Essence  or  infinite  Being,  and  one  of  these  persons  being  united 
to  a  man,  but  not  in  the  least  humbling  himself  or  suffering,  com- 
pletely leads  to  and  ends  in  Socinianism ;  and  though  it  claims 
the  form  of  orthodoxy,  it  is  a  shadow  without  the  substance  ;  it 
eludes  inspection  ;  and  I  sometimes  say  to  those  who  are  strenu- 
ous for  this  doctrine,  that  they  take  away  my  Lord,  and  I  know 
not  where  they  place  him." — "The  orthodoxy,  so  called,  of  Wa- 
terland,  is  as  repugnant  to  my  reason  and  views  of  rel^ion,  as 
the  heterodoxy  of  Lardner ;  and  I  am  at  a  loss  to  see  that  any 
solid  satisfaction,  for  a  person  who  wishes  to  find  salvation 
through  the  death  of  the  Son  of  God,  can  be  found  in  either." — 
"  I  seek  for  a  plan  which  exalts  the  personal  character  and  attri- 
butes of  the  Son  of  God  in  the  highest  possible  degree;-  The 
plan  which  your  brother  hath  chosen  does  this— The  scheme  he 
has  adopted  affords  light  and  comfort  to  the  christian.  I  have 
long  thought  so ;  and  1  continue  to  think  I  have  not  been  mis- 
taken." 

*  Rev.  Noah  Worcester. 


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